Michigan

Sixers' style pushes Pistons to play better

AP PhotoPhiladelphia's Andre Iguodala, center, is double-teamed by Detroit's Rasheed Wallace, left, and Tayshaun Prince in the first quarter Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA -- If the Detroit Pistons go on to win an NBA title this season, the Philadelphia 76ers might deserve some of the credit.

Detroit's 100-77 series-clinching win on Thursday doesn't do justice to how hard the Pistons had to work to win this series.

"They woke us up," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "They probably made us a lot better going in to the next series."

Because Philadelphia plays so hard, Saunders said they force you to do a better job of executing at both ends of the floor.

"They make you play basketball; they make you make plays, make you swing the basketball," Saunders said. "That's usually when we're at our best. I thought the first three games, we held the ball a lot. After Game 3, it was definitely a wake-up call."

Pistons guard Chauncey Billups agreed that Philadelphia's style of play forced them to play better. However, he added that the way the regular season ended for both Detroit and Philadelphia, was also a factor in Detroit's early struggles.

"The last three weeks of season, they were playing playoff basketball," Billups said. "They was trying to get in (the playoffs), and fight for position. On the other hand, the last three weeks, our starters were playing the first (quarter) and the first half of the third (quarter) so we kind of shut it down for the last three weeks, trying to stay healthy. In doing that, we lost our rhythm. Once we finally did get it back, ... we didn't look back. We pretty much took over the series."

Saunders in demand
Even before the Dallas Mavericks' fired Avery Johnson on Wednesday, Saunders' name was linked as a possible successor.

However, at the heart of Johnson's firing -- he didn't win enough playoff games -- would likely be the very same reason Detroit would have if it were to fire Saunders. His name has also been linked with the Chicago Bulls opening, as well as the Phoenix Suns, if they were to decide to fire Mike D'Antoni.

"It's the dynamics of our league," Saunders said. "Every team has expectations; whether it's right, wrong or indifferent. If those expectations aren't accomplished, things happen. It's no different anywhere. I knew when I came here, there were expectations, too. I think people in that situation, know that."

This wouldn't be the first time the Pistons have been in the playoffs at a time when their head coach was being linked with jobs with other NBA teams. During Detroit's run to the 2005 NBA Finals, then-head coach Larry Brown was linked with a front-office position with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"It's never really an issue," Billups said. "People can say what they want. If Flip was coming out with articles that were saying he was interested in this or that, then that could make a difference."

Quick hits
Dennis Rodman was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly hitting a woman at a California hotel. He was freed on $50,000 bond early Thursday. ... Tickets for Games 1 and 2 against Orlando are on sale now. They can be purchased at Ticketmaster, pistons.com or you can all (800) 377-0100. ... Pistons forward Amir Johnson, who had 10 points in Game 6, turned 21 years old on Thursday.